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Pres. Bongbong Marcos, criticized for explaining why he has yet to name a DOH secretary

Netizens weren’t too receptive to Marcos’ reason and proceeded to criticize his decision-making skills

Netizens blasted Pres. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. after revealing why he has yet to pick a Department of Health secretary 75 days into his presidency.

In a sit-down with pro-administration TV host Toni Gonzaga, Marcos said the department is undergoing reforms and that it will continue to perform its duties without a head.

“There are many elements to the DOH, so that’s why until we finalize the structure — we just have to keep it functioning and finalize the structure,” he said.

When asked why a DOH secretary hasn’t been named yet, the president said that the country is not only struggling with COVID-19 but also with other diseases such as HIV, dengue, and tuberculosis.

Without dropping any names, Marcos said he has a few candidates in mind for health secretary.

“I am hoping and I am thinking that the person who is helping us, the consultants from there, the consultants helping us, putting the new structure of DOH together, diyan manggagaling ang ating bagong secretary,” he said.

“We have the dengue rates are climbing. We have the second highest HIV rate of infection in the world,” he added.

Netizens weren’t receptive to Marcos’ reason and criticised his decision-making skills.

https://twitter.com/rrheaalcohol/status/1569984586490445825?s=20&t=FwROy1__Wi7KNQWzZbSYFA

Some joked that the president is too busy having fun these days.

Marcos has recently attended events that do not require the president’s presence. He also sang at his birthday luncheon at the Palace, which left a bad taste in people’s mouths.

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While without a health secretary, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire has been active in dealing with the response to the pandemic as she was during the previous administration.

She has been serving as officer-in-charge since July.

Vergeire previously said there isn’t much difference between an OIC and a department head, adding that the president has given her authority to lead the agency.

“Whatever position I may have, 100% naman po ang ibinibigay and it doesn’t affect our services and the delivery and the decision-making, halos pareho naman, sir. So wala po tayong disruption,” she said during the hearing of the House Appropriations Committee on Monday.

Written by Charles Teves

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